Examples of Diffusion of Responsibility and Bystander Effect Latané and Darley, 1968 Latané and Darley, 1968 –Cubicles with sounds of severe choking –Only person = 85%; One other person = 65%; four other people = 31% Pluralistic ignorance is where they assume nothing is wrong because nobody else looks concerned. Pluralistic ignorance is where they assume nothing is wrong because nobody else looks concerned.

Conditions that strengthen conformity 1. Insecure, offering unwanted assistance or “losing face” in front bystanders  Behavior will be observed/judged 2. Group that has at least three people 3. The group is unanimous; look at other’s reactions in an emergency 4. Group’s status is admirable 5. No prior commitment to any response

Step 1 – Will the Bystander Help? Is the incident noticeable for the bystander? Is the incident noticeable for the bystander? Are there a lot of people around? Are there a lot of people around? –Noise, distractions

Step 2 – Will the Bystander Help? Can the situation clearly be identified as an emergency? Can the situation clearly be identified as an emergency? Pluralistic ignorance – others dictate our actions Pluralistic ignorance – others dictate our actions –If alone, 70% report situation as emergency within 4 minutes –With others present, only 12% report within 4 minutes –Darley & Latane, 1968

Step 3 – Will the Bystander Help? Based on the situation, am I responsible to act? Based on the situation, am I responsible to act? The more people present…less likely to take responsibility The more people present…less likely to take responsibility –If alone, 85% went to help victim –With others present, 31% went to help victim –Darley & Latane, 1968

Step 4 – Will the Bystander Help? Do I have skills/knowledge/some capacity to help the victim? Do I have skills/knowledge/some capacity to help the victim? If answers to all steps are yes, then victim receives help If answers to all steps are yes, then victim receives help –Situation noticeable? –Situation identified as emergency? –I have responsibility? –Can my actions help?

Actions to counter bystander apathy As a victim, single out one person in the crowd and appeal directly to them As a victim, single out one person in the crowd and appeal directly to them In this way the person cannot diffuse their responsibility; it is placed on their shoulders In this way the person cannot diffuse their responsibility; it is placed on their shoulders This counters pluralistic ignorance as one person in the crowd does help This counters pluralistic ignorance as one person in the crowd does help

Examples Stanford Prison Experiment Stanford Prison Experiment –Diffusion of responsibility Milgram’s Obedience Experiment Milgram’s Obedience Experiment –Prison Abuse in Iraq Liverpool, England Murder Liverpool, England Murder

Surveillance Tape - February 12, 1993; Strand Shopping Center near Liverpool

Sequence of Events The two boys kidnap James Bulger from the mall The two boys kidnap James Bulger from the mall As they walked outside, the boy had to be carried because he was crying for his mother and refused to walk anymore As they walked outside, the boy had to be carried because he was crying for his mother and refused to walk anymore

Sequence of Events They continue to an isolated area under a bridge They continue to an isolated area under a bridge The boys cover the injuries Many people notice the tears and blood but none intervene The boys cover the injuries Many people notice the tears and blood but none intervene James drags his feet, cries, and attempts to run away James drags his feet, cries, and attempts to run away

Sequence of Events They go into three stores and are questioned by over a 15 people They go into three stores and are questioned by over a 15 people Many give them directions to the police station Many give them directions to the police station 2 ½ hours after kidnapping James, they take him to an area by train tracks 2 ½ hours after kidnapping James, they take him to an area by train tracks The boys throw stones and bricks, kick, punch, and hit James with an iron bar The boys throw stones and bricks, kick, punch, and hit James with an iron bar

Sequence of Events Thinking he is dead, they lay him on the railroad tracks before the train comes Thinking he is dead, they lay him on the railroad tracks before the train comes

References Latané, B. and Darley, J. M. (1970) The unresponsive bystander: Why doesn’t he help? Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Latané, B. and Darley, J. M. (1970) The unresponsive bystander: Why doesn’t he help? Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Gladwell, Malcolm. (2000). The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. ISBN Gladwell, Malcolm. (2000). The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. ISBN ISBN ISBN KV8k7HvsoJ: s3/bulger/+boy+in+England,+bystander& hl=en&ie=UTF-8 Court TV website KV8k7HvsoJ: s3/bulger/+boy+in+England,+bystander& hl=en&ie=UTF-8 Court TV website KV8k7HvsoJ: s3/bulger/+boy+in+England,+bystander& hl=en&ie=UTF-8 KV8k7HvsoJ: s3/bulger/+boy+in+England,+bystander& hl=en&ie=UTF-8